Epsom Derby

The Derby is a Group 1 run over 1m4f at Epsom which this year is run on Saturday 5th June at 4:00 for which fourteen horses have been declared.

Derby Winners, Trends & Stats

The Derby is often referred to as the “Blue Riband” of the flat season and as the “ultimate test of the thoroughbred. The likes of Sea The Stars (2009), Workforce (2010) and Golden Horn (2015) all went on to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe later that season.

  • 11 of the previous 12 winners ran in the last 35 days or less
  • 11 of the previous 12 winners had at least 3 previous flat runs
  • 10 of the previous 12 winners were rated 109 or higher
  • 9 of the previous 12 winners had already won a group race
  • 9 of the previous 12 winners had at least 2 flat wins
  • 7 of the previous 12 winners were trained by Aidan O’Brien

 

 

Epsom Derby 2026 Runners Guide

ACTION (AIDAN O’BRIEN/ WAYNE LORDAN)

A half-brother to last year’s winner Lambourn who placed in both the Royal Lodge Stakes behind Bow Echo and in the Futurity Trophy behind Hawk Mountain last season. A disappointing beaten favourite on his reappearance in a first-time tongue tie at Sandown, he ran well to finish 2nd in the Dante Stakes at York behind Item. He is fitted with first-time cheekpieces.

ALDERMAN (PAT DOBBS)

Thrice raced maiden who comes into the race having finished 2nd behind Water To Wine at Newbury on his reappearance over 1m3f. Rated only 83 and it would be a surprise if he was involved in the finish of the race.

ANCIENT EGYPT (DAVID EGAN)

Cost 1.1 million guineas as a yearling prior to winning two novice races at Beverley and Goodwood. The son of Frankel could only finish 7th at Newmarket in the Royal Lodge Stakes prior to making a winning reappearance in the listed Newmarket Stakes beating the well regarded My Love Is King by two lengths over 1m2f. Has been drawn in the most successful Stall 10.

A TASTE OF GLORY (JAMIE SPENCER)

A winner of his reappearance in an AW handicap at Lingfield off a mark of 80 prior to finishing last of 6 in the Lingfield Derby Trial behind Maltese Cross and Bay Of Brilliance. He only has an official rating of 84.

BALZAC (SILVESTRE DE SOUSA)

Son of Japan who made a winning reappearance on the AW at Kempton. He finished 3rd in the Blue Riband Trial at this track over 1m2f before finishing 3rd behind Maltese Cross and Bay Of Brilliance in the Lingfield Derby Trial.

BAY OF BRILLIANCE (HECTOR CROUCH)

Won a soft ground Goodwood maiden over 1m2f last season before following up at Redcar beating Poker by 8 ½ lengths under a penalty. He was conceding race fitness to Maltese Cross when a neck 2nd in the Lingfield Derby Trial and he looks a strong stayer at this trip.

BENVENUTO CELLINI (AIDAN O’BRIEN/ RYAN MOORE)

An impressive five length winner of the Group 2 Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown before finishing 3rd behind Hawk Mountain and Action in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at the end of last season. He justified odds of 2/9 to win the Chester Vase on his reappearance proving his stamina but softer ground would be a negative for him.

CHRISTMAS DAY (AIDAN O’BRIEN/ RONAN WHELAN)

A winner of the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes on his reappearance when finishing ahead of his better fancied stablemate Pierre Bonnard. He was sent off 11/4 favourite for the Dante Stakes at York last time but could only finish 3rd behind Item and Action.

ITEM (COLIN KEANE)

Unbeaten Juddmonte colt who won both of his juvenile starts by 3 ½ lengths at Kempton and Bath. He stepped forward from those runs to win the Dante Stakes by 2 ¾ lengths beating Action and Christmas Day but did race on the favourable part of the track that day. He was a NR at Doncaster at the end of last season on heavy ground so softer ground would be a negative for him and he still needs to prove his stamina.

JAMES J BRADDOCK (DYLAN BROWNE MCMONAGLE)

A six length winner of a Curragh maiden on heavy ground last season, he stepped forward from his reappearance run when 5th in the Ballysax Stakes to beat Pierre Bonnard by a short head in the Group 3 Derrinstown Derby Trial at Leopardstown last time. He looks a strong stayer and will appreciate the recent rain.

MALTESE CROSS (TOM MARQUAND)

Progressive son of Sea The Stars who has won his previous three starts. He beat the well regarded My Love Is King at Newbury on his reappearance before winning the Lingfield Derby Trial by a neck last time when finishing ahead of Bay Of Brilliance, Balzac and A Taste Of Glory. He looks a strong stayer and coped with soft ground on his debut at Ascot.

PIERRE BONNARD (AIDAN O’BRIEN/ CHRISTOPHE SOUMILLON)

Won three starts as a juvenile including the Group 3 Zetland Stakes and Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud over 1m2f. A beaten favourite on his two starts this season in registered trials, he will appreciate this step up in trip to 1m4f and soft ground would be no negative to his chance.

POKER (ROWAN SCOTT)

4.3 million guineas purchase who is yet to win in his three starts to date. The son of Wootton Bassett finished 2nd behind Bay Of Brilliance at Redcar on his final start last season before finishing 2nd at Haydock on his reappearance at Haydock when fitted with first-time cheekpieces. He only has an official rating of 80 and this looks a tough ask based on that.

REBEL ROCKER (ROB HORNBY)

Son of Cityscape who defied odds of 12/1 to win at Kempton on his only start last season. Sent off 33/1 in the Blue Riband Trial over 1m2f at this track in April, he finished 2nd beaten 2 ½ lengths behind Saxon Street. He has an official rating of 99 but does have the benefit of course form.

Epsom Derby Trainers & Jockeys to Watch

Aidan O’Brien has won this race eleven times with Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Camelot (2012), Ruler of the World (2013), Australia (2014), Wings of Eagles (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2019), Serpentine (2020), Auguste Rodin (2023), City of Troy (2024), Lambourn (2025). Andrew Balding has so far sent 13 runners to the race without recording a win.

Ryan Moore has a superb record in the race winning it four times with Workforce (2010), Ruler Of The World (2013), Auguste Rodin (2023) and City Of Troy (2024).

 

 

Epsom Derby 2026 Betting Tips

This looks an open renewal of the Derby this year and although Benvenuto Cellini looks a strong contender, the recent rain will hinder his chances. Ancient Egypt comes out of the coveted Stall 10 this year and looks a strong stayer but is another who would have preferred faster ground. I am willing to take a chance on BAY OF BRILLIANCE (best priced at 16/1) who has progressed with each of his four career starts. He looked a strong stayer when winning a Goodwood maiden on soft ground last year before defying a penalty when beating Poker by 8 ½ lengths at Redcar. He was conceding race fitness to Maltese Cross when a neck 2nd in the Lingfield Derby Trial and he bids to emulate Adayaar who finished 2nd in that race prior to winning the 2021 Derby on his next start.

Recommended Bet: Bay Of Brilliance 16/1 (0.5pt ew)